"Silence is not an option". Petition of more than 185 political, art and social activists, protesting the prison sentences of Iranian Women Activists

On April 24, 2007 the Tehran Revolutionary court sentenced Parvin Ardalan and Nooshin Ahmadi Khorasani to a 3 year jail sentence, with 2.5 years suspended. (I believe suspended means that whenever the government sees fit, they can enact the 2.5 year prison sentence.) These two women are known faces of the feminist movement in Iran. The charges placed against them were "working against the national security of the country".

Parvin Ardalan and Nooshin Ahmadi Khorasani have been striving towards the defense of women's rights in Iran for years. They built the foundation of the movement towards change for equality "One Million Signature Campagain to change discriminatory laws". This campaign was met with much enthusiasm and is asking for changes in the discriminatory laws in Iran that make women "half of a human". The goal of keeping these women in detention is nothing more than to quiet these justice seeking voices. We are placing a reminder that in the past few days the Islamic Revolutionary court has issued suspended jail sentences to Azadeh Forghani, Soosan Tahmasebi, Shahla Entesari and Fariba Davoodi Mohajer due to their efforts for women equality as well. It can be anticipated that more jail sentences will be issued in the near future.

Today, the Iranian regime is working to spread fear with their attacks on "bad-hejab" women, meaning women that say no to the government's Idiological Islamic pattern.

Along with the suppression of the students movements and the efforts of the workers and teachers, the feminist movement has become the focus of their attacks. Issuing prison sentences for Parvin Ardalan, Nooshin Ahmadi Khorasani, Azadeh Forghani, Fariba Davoodi Mohajer, Shahla Entesari and Soosan Tahmasabi that have not committed any crimes other than defending women's rights, is indicative of the determination of the government to silence their voices.

The fate that the rulers are trying to stamp for the women activists is a reminder that the issue of women's rights is the center for freedom and justice in society. Therefore, silence is not an option in the face of these rulers!

We the signatories below call on all freedom-seeking, human rights defending and women rights defending people to protest to the senteces and detentions issued. With consultation with international establishments we are wanting the annulment of the jail sentences and charges placed against all members of the Iranian feminist movement in Iran.

(The names are listed in the article posted on gooya news, the link is given above)

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Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Arrest of Women's Rights Activists Again

Once again the authorities in Iran have arrested women activists. Nahid Keshavarzand Mahboobeh Hossein-zadeh have been arrested along with Sara Imanian, herhusband Homayoon Nami and Saideh Amin. Sara Imanian, Homayoon Nami andSaideh Amin were freed on bail after spending one night in the "Social Corruption" jail,while Nahid Keshavarz and Mahboobeh Hossein-zadeh were sent to the 209 division inIran's Evin Jail.http://1384.g00ya.com/politics/archives/2007/04/058546.php

Also according to the website "Havva", at least now the jailers in Evin know the two women andknow that they are not criminals. The "Haava" website author states that last time the jailers would yell and scream at the women because they didn't know why there were brought to Evin.But towards the end of the women's stay in the prison, the women explained the One Million Signature Campaing to them in depth. After all the jailers were women too and knew of the pain and frustration of not having the right to marriage, divorce, child custody, travel, work and etc. as well. They were treating with women with kindness and sympathy towards the end.http://www.maryam-blog.com/2007/04/post_5.html

All I got to say is real men don't pick on women. Real men don't enjoy abusing them verballyor physically. Rather a real man that is secure with himself gives women rights equal to men's and treats them fairly. It's those men who know that they themselves are inferior, who try to put women down.